Earlier today, I was chatting to Gerry Kelly on the Late Lunch about flu vaccines and digital detox.

Why are doctors so keen on talking about  flu vaccines this month?

It’s worth reminding everyone that in Ireland, doctors aren’t looking for business. Hospitals aren’t looking for business.  We are really keen that you stay healthy this winter, for a lot of reasons, including that in general, we’re nice people – we don’t want to see anyone miserable.

Flu vaccine clinics are a bit of extra work for many busy GPs and pharmacies – if we thought that tonics or supplements worked just as well, we’d recommend them. But they really don’t.

However, the flu vaccine only protects against the flu.  And there will be lots of things going around this winter.  The other things that support a healthy immune system –   such as staying active, getting enough sleep, eating well, not smoking/vaping, looking after stress, washing your hands – these really matter.

For some of our patients, sick days – for them or their children – are a real hardship so reducing sick days is always important.

How big a problem is flu in Ireland?

Every year in Ireland 200-500 people die from flu and thousands of people need admission to hospital. In Winter 2023/2024, in Ireland, there were over 5000 COVID-19 hospitalisations and almost 3000 Influenza hospitalisations in adult patients.

Generally, flu vaccines reduce the risk of infection by 40% to 60%.

Who can get one?

Honestly, almost everyone.  There are few contraindications but pobably a lot fewer than you think.

Cost of flu vaccine is around €35  — However, ,lots of us can  a free flu vaccine!  Here is the list from HSE website – and well worth checking it otu.

• age 60 and older
• age 2 to 17
• a healthcare worker
• pregnant
• living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
• in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl
• someone with a health condition that puts you at higher risk of flu (age 6 months and older)
• living with someone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu
• a carer for someone who has a health condition that puts them at higher risk of flu

People with these conditions can get a free flu vaccine:

• chronic heart disease, including acute coronary syndrome
• chronic liver disease
• chronic kidney failure
• chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
• diabetes
• Down syndrome
• haemoglobinopathies
• Obesity with BMI over 40
• immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (including asplenia or hyposplenism, and cancer)
• children with a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy
• children on long-term aspirin therapy
• any condition that can compromise respiratory function, like spinal cord injury, seizure disorder or other neuromuscular disorder, especially people also attending special schools or day centres

What about Children?

Children and flu –  If we look at the data from the decade before the pandemic and before we started the free nasal flu vaccine programme:  Almost 5,000 children were admitted to hospital with complications of flu between 2009 and 2019. Almost 200 children had treatment in intensive care and 40 children died.

While the nasal spray is “new” to Ireland in last few years, it has been used in the US for more than 20 years!

Some children with certain health conditions can’t get the nasal flu vaccine; if you have any questions, talk to your child’s GP or or chemist or consultant to make sure you are getting the health information that is correct for your child.

When should I get it?

Sooner rather than later!  IT takes 2 weeks to take full effect and October is start of flu season.

Let’s bust some myths:

“The flu vaccine gives you the flu.”  Nope, impossible.  The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu.

“The flu vaccine doesn’t work.”  It reduces your chance of infection by 40 – 60%, which isn’t nothing and can help you have a milder course if you do get the flu.   It can also help reduce spreading the virus.

“If I have egg allergies or asthma, I can’t get the flu vaccine.”  Actually, you usually can.   Talk to your GP or pharmacist.

The chance of getting a complication from a flu vaccine is much, much lower than getting a complication from the flu.

What about healthcare workers (HCW) – is the person looking after me this winter going to be vaccinated ?

Hopefully – the risk of a HCW getting flu is 10x that of someone who doesn’t work in healthcare!  HCW in Ireland will usually be offered free flu vaccines and Covid-19 boosters through their place of work.

Winter is coming…

It’s already starting.  While numbers are low, RSV numbers have increased 10-fold over last 4 weeks.  Influenza has arrive (75% of tested cases are Influenza A).  Covid-19 is at a moderate level. [source Week 40 HPSC data]

Why are we talking about vaccines?

More than 50% of people make healthcare decision based on information off of the internet.  When this information is from trusted sources, this is great. However, more and more, the health information available to patients is incorrect. There are many reasons why health misinformation gets circulate:  poor science literacy, fear, click-bait, or for profit.  However, healthcare professionals know that more than ever, we need to be having frank conversations with our patients about their healthcare decisions, including vaccination, and making sure they are making informed decisions, based on real facts

Cyberbreak

This Friday, @cybersafekidsie are challenging schools and families to a CyberBreak 24-hour digital detox.

As the weather gets colder and wetter, and the evenings get darker – children start coming inside more. And that can sometimes mean increased screen time.

As a doctor who works with families, limits on screen use in the home are a common discussion in my clinics.

There are dozens of reasons to limit screen time for children and teens (and adults!). One of the important reasons is making sure our children and teens have a safe space in their lives. If you think back, it used to be that when a child or teen came home from school, they were in the family home.  It was a break from the peers and the pressures.  Now, that follows them through apps on their phone.  All of us need space to de-compress from the day — this includes adults on work-related phones.

There are lots of other reasons, including:

– Preventing certain eye problems

– Mental health

– better sleep

– more time for the at least 60 minutes of active play that your child – and teen! – need each day

– more time for activites that promote spatial awareness or fine/gross motor – like putting together a puzzle or building Lego

– actual human interaction at meal time

For more resources and to sign your school or family up – head over to Cybersafekids.ie